Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-05-05
POETR u.
"SEEING THE BLOOD"
BY LUCY WADE HERRIcK.

Founded on 4 legend, very afiectingly told by
Mr.. Moody, the Evangelist
FATHER, cannot sleep, the prophets words
Ring in my ears, they fill my heart with fear
For am | not the first-born, and the one
On whom the destroying angels shaft would
fall.
Were not the token on the Intel found?
Thrice have Famed the patriarchs. and once
The creatures great and small that Noah drove
Before him in the ark but all in vain.
! cannot sleep. o father, art thou sure
The blood is sprinkled as God gave command? -
Peace, peace, my child. just as the evening fell
The fairest lamb of all the flock was slain,
And roasted then with purifying fire;
With bitter herbs and bread devoid of leaven,
In haste we ate the Lords appointed feast.
Nor were the means of saving thee forgot;
Scarce was the yearling slain ere gave word
For sprnkling of the blood upon the door;
Sleep, then, my first-born, Gods avepging one
VIII see the signal and pass over thee
Thus on that dark night which God had
chosen
For passing throughout all fair Egypts land,
To smite on every side the loved first-born,
Sparing not cen the firstlings of the flock,
4 Hebrew father sOothed his reStleS child
Sandals upon his feet and staff in hand,
He waited for that solemn midnight hour
When Gods almighty arm should break the
chain
That bound his people to proud Phareohs
throne
The bread unbaked was in the kneading trough,
The scattered fiocks were gathered in the fold,
And all betokened plans for hasty flight.
There was a thrilling silence in the air;
4 TO- -, fl,. Dnht
Jov that was not uumingled with regret
At leaving thus his BIRTHPLACE, though it was
house of bondage for the promised land
Just as we tremble sometimes at the thought
OF changing earth for heaven.
The night wore on
And vet again the pleading voice was heard
Father. sleep will not come, before my eyes
| see the angel pass and at our door
Pause sadly, as though he wept TO enter,
Yet dared not hasten unavenging by.
O father, if the blood has been removed,
Or if the herdboy needed not thy voice,
Then never shall my weary eyes behold
The land of Canaan with its waving fields.
Rest little one, faithful our Jared is,
Not only on the side-posts of the door
Should be the stain, but on the one above,
So if some hungry dog should from its place
One token lick the others would remain.
Sleep, my sweet child for thou hast need OF
rest
The journey will be rough for little feet
The anxious voice was stilled, for in that home
Obedience reigned supreme, though not as yet
The law had sounded forth from Sinai's top;
With patience dutful she sought to WOO
Soft sumber to her long unclosed eyes
Sleep came at last but with il dreams of fright,
Wherein she tossed, and moaned, and oft cried
out.
The midnight hour drew nigh unbroken still
The darkness solemn hush the child awoke
With a loud cry, Father, | thought heard
The cocks shrill crow to greet approaching
morn,
NV heart is beating with sick'ning dread
OF danger near. Oh take me to the door,
And let me see the red blood sprinkled there.
Lighting a TORCH the father gently took
His first born in his arms, and bore her forth,
Started and paled to see no paschal sign,
No warning that their door should be passed by.
With trembling hand he snatched the hyssop
then,
Himself applied the blood in eager haste.
A long sigh of relief escaped the child
Almost before he placed her on the couch
Sweet sleep had fallen on her heavy lids,
Nor when that great cry rose did she awake (;
That agonizing wall of man and beast
Reached not her ears, with drowsy slumber
sealed.
And at the dawn they bore her sleeping still
Away from Egypt's darkness and despair.
Christ. our blest Passover, is slain for us,
The blood of sprinkling' for our sins is shed,
Have we the atoning sacrifice applied,
Made sure our entrance to the Promised Land